1
as in inspires
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotes
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provokes
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urges
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourages
Pruning perennials at the right time encourages plants to leaf out, grow bushier, develop sturdier stems, and potentially produce more flowers.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Loudermilk says this is just one of the many ways Lions Clubs work to support their communities and encourages anyone interested in joining to reach out.
—Jessica Riley, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Unlike one-off grooming purchases, makeup encourages repeat use and experimentation.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Once Venus, Mercury and the sun finally move into Aquarius, the trajectory of our love lives will shift gears entirely, as this Air sign encourages honesty, friendship and independence.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Immigrant advocates say the program encourages racial profiling and discourages people from reporting crimes.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Instead, English encourages a more patient strategy, saving points for higher-payoff redemptions, such as long-haul international travel.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Besides the gleaming blue hull, the 60-footer has an open layout that encourages sociability while promoting privacy in areas like the sunbed at the stern or foredeck lounge.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Loudermilk says this is just one of the many ways Lions Clubs work to support their communities and encourages anyone interested in joining to reach out.
—Jessica Riley, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Unlike one-off grooming purchases, makeup encourages repeat use and experimentation.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Once Venus, Mercury and the sun finally move into Aquarius, the trajectory of our love lives will shift gears entirely, as this Air sign encourages honesty, friendship and independence.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Immigrant advocates say the program encourages racial profiling and discourages people from reporting crimes.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Instead, English encourages a more patient strategy, saving points for higher-payoff redemptions, such as long-haul international travel.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Besides the gleaming blue hull, the 60-footer has an open layout that encourages sociability while promoting privacy in areas like the sunbed at the stern or foredeck lounge.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The sales pitch rhetoric inspires few.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Kaizen Approach is a Japanese philosophy that promotes incremental change in organizations at every level.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The National Endowment for Democracy, which promotes freedom across Latin America including in Cuba, has named Eddy Acevedo, a longtime expert in Western Hemisphere politics, as its vice president for policy and government relations.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The result is a film that provokes thought more than feeling, one that invites discussion, while denying audiences the emotional dimension that might have driven home its relevance.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
3 Jan. 2026
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But when her latest husband, discord spirit Raksh, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina must clean up his blunder, contend with Marjana’s demands for the truth…and figure out who on her crew is plotting a mutiny.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Delaware County District Attorney's Office urges anyone with additional information to contact Detective Leah Cesanek at 610-623-1500 or Detective Chris Karr at 610-891-4700.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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The contest urges fans to submit new flavor ideas for a chance to win $1 million.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In her own life, Kat cultivates those conditions.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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By fostering an internal environment where employees are encouraged to question assumptions, share expertise, and engage in reflective thinking, The Rise Group cultivates the intellectual space needed to pursue meaningful insights.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The viral beauty gadget stimulates collagen, boosts circulation, and leaves you with plump, youthful results.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
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Continuing to seek out mental and social challenges stimulates brain metabolism, neuroplasticity and vascular health, according to Efrati, who also serves as chair of the medical advisory board at Aviv Clinics, which operates in Florida and Tel Aviv.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Murder of Laci Peterson nudges viewers to reevaluate the veracity of media narratives and draw their own conclusions.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
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Midweek, the Virgo Moon (Jan 6th–8th) nudges you inward, activating your rest and reflection zone.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This is because of the productive restlessness that Safdie fosters in his colleagues, many of whom have been at his side for decades, and, of course, the spirit of his wildly original new character.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
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That fosters consensus building, persuasion and accountability.—
Rob Moore,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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